NORTH SHORE’S WATER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 622, 26 March 1929, Page 15

NORTH SHORE’S WATER

MAYOR OF TAKAPUNA CRITICAL

LAKE PUPUKE PROBLEMS

Criticism of the attitude of some <tl~ tin N rth Shore boroughs towari the cost of maintaining the purity of Lakt> Pupuke ns a water supply was math? by the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. J. Williamson, when he spoke to the Mil-*, ford I‘regressive Association last even- y ing. 'I .Mr. Williamson said that he hoped to j arrange shortly for a conference be- j tween the Minister of Health and rep- ; resentatives of the marine boroughs. ; Such questions would be raised as the acquiring of sufficient land around the catchment area to ensure that the water would be free from contamination and the compensation .o Takapuna borough for the heavy loss of rate revenue resulting from the writing down of values of land abutting on the lake’s watershed.

Mr. Williamson said that an impression seemed to be abroad in Northcote that Devonport and Takapuna could go to the Waitakere Ranges for their water requirements, leaving Pupuke to supply Nurthcole and Birkenhead. This suggestion would offer no solution of the problem of Takapuna’s unfair loss in rate revenue.

Dealing with the suggested purchase of a belt of land, around the lake. Mr. Williamson said that careful study would be needed before action was taken. The engineer to the Bake Water Board had given it as his opinion that in 10 years the lake would be down to 80ft below sea-level. Should that come about, North Shore would soon have to seek a new water supply. The speaker hoped that the Minister of Health, the Hon, A. J. Stallworthy, and his officials would find a solution to a difficult problem.